Strikingly

Strikingly

Easy, Beautiful Websites

In today’s digital age, having a robust online presence is crucial for any business. However, not everyone has the technical skills to build and maintain a professional website. This is where website builders like Strikingly come into play. Strikingly is designed to make website creation straightforward and accessible, even for those with no coding experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore the features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of using Strikingly as your website builder.

Why Choose Us

Simple Blog

Keep your visitors updated with our super easy blogging. Each blog post gets its own page.

E-commerce Built In

Just add our Simple Store and connect to PayPal or Stripe. Start making sales and getting paid, immediately.

Analytics

All sites come with analytics built-in. See who's been visiting with easy-to-read charts.

24/7 Support

Message us anytime by email or live chat. Our Happiness Team is always here to help you succeed.

What is Strikingly?​

Strikingly is a website builder aimed at small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives who need a professional online presence without the hassle of complex web development. Launched in 2012, it has quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and powerful features.

Key Features of Strikingly

1. Easy-to-Use Interface: Strikingly’s drag-and-drop editor allows users to create visually appealing websites with ease. You don’t need any coding knowledge – simply choose elements from the sidebar and place them where you want on your page.

2. Beautiful Templates: Strikingly offers a variety of sleek, modern templates that cater to different industries. Whether you’re a photographer, a tech startup, or a blogger, you’ll find a template that suits your needs.

3. Mobile Responsiveness: All Strikingly websites are mobile-responsive, ensuring that your site looks great on any device. This is crucial as more and more users access websites via smartphones and tablets.

4. E-commerce Capabilities: For those looking to sell products online, Strikingly offers e-commerce functionality. You can set up a store, manage inventory, and accept payments with ease.

5. SEO Tools: Strikingly includes built-in SEO tools to help your website rank higher in search engine results. This includes customisable meta tags, alt text for images, and more.

6. Analytics: Understand your audience better with Strikingly’s analytics tools. Track visitor numbers, see where your traffic is coming from, and gain insights to improve your site’s performance.

Benefits of Using Strikingly

1. Time-Saving: Strikingly significantly reduces the time needed to build a website. With its intuitive interface, you can have your site up and running in just a few hours.

2. Cost-Effective: Compared to hiring a web developer, Strikingly is a cost-effective solution. It offers various pricing plans, including a free version, which is perfect for those on a budget.

3. No Technical Skills Required: You don’t need to be a tech guru to use Strikingly. The platform handles all the technical aspects, allowing you to focus on your content and design.

4. Customer Support: Strikingly provides excellent customer support, including a detailed help centre, video tutorials, and 24/7 live chat support.

As Featured In

Conclusion

Strikingly stands out as a user-friendly website builder that empowers anyone to create a professional-looking website quickly and easily. Its beautiful templates, mobile responsiveness, and built-in SEO tools make it a strong contender in the website builder market. However, if you require extensive customisation or advanced blogging features, you might need to consider other options. Overall, Strikingly is an excellent choice for those looking to establish an online presence with minimal fuss..

Website Development with 12 Months Free Hosting

Website Development with 12 months FREE Hosting

Are you ready to take your online presence to the next level? At Focus Ecommerce and Marketing, we specialize in crafting bespoke websites on two of the most powerful platforms in the digital realm: Shopify and WordPress. Whether you’re an ambitious entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, our expert team is here to turn your vision into a stunning reality.

Special Offer
WordPress

WordPress Development

Renowned for its versatility and customization options, WordPress is the go-to choice for building dynamic websites and blogs. With thousands of themes and plugins at your fingertips, you can create a truly unique online presence that reflects your brand’s personality and resonates with your audience. Plus, with its user-friendly content management system, managing your site has never been easier.

Shopify Development

As a leading ecommerce platform, Shopify offers unparalleled simplicity and scalability. From sleek storefronts to seamless checkout experiences, Shopify empowers businesses of all sizes to thrive in the competitive online marketplace. With its intuitive interface and robust features, you’ll have everything you need to showcase your products and drive sales.

Shopify-Development

Products Built for Profit

Fully Featured Platform with No Development

Website Development

Custom Design and Development:

Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to revamp your existing site, our talented designers and developers will create a visually stunning and highly functional website that sets you apart from the competition.

Ecommerce Integration

Ecommerce Integration

Ready to take your online store to new heights? We'll seamlessly integrate Shopify or WordPress with your ecommerce platform, ensuring a smooth shopping experience for your customers and maximizing your sales potential.

Responsive Design

Responsive Design:

In today's mobile-first world, it's essential to have a website that looks great on any device. Our responsive design approach ensures that your site is optimized for desktops, tablets, and smartphones, providing a seamless user experience across all platforms.

SEO Services

SEO Optimisation:

Stand out in the crowded digital landscape with our comprehensive SEO services. From keyword research to on-page optimization, we'll help you climb the search engine rankings and attract more organic traffic to your site.

Special Offer

special offer

Ready to elevate your online presence with a stunning website on Shopify or WordPress? Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our expert developers. Together, we’ll unlock the full potential of your online business and help you achieve your goals. Let’s build something amazing together!

 

 

Terms & Conditions

  • WordPress site must be hosted with Focus Ecommerce.
  • WordPress hosting applies to Focus Ecommerce Basic package.
  • Shopify hosting applies to Basic package.
  • Site cannot be moved to another provider within the initial 12months.
  • Additional costs my apply.
  • Focus Ecommerce reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any time.

Low Setup Fees

Low Cost of Ownership

Future Proof Platforms

Built for Profit

Success Stories:

From beginning to end, working with Focus Ecommerce was an absolute delight. Their team showed a profound comprehension of our vision and objectives, and they contributed a degree of creativity and knowledge above and above what we had anticipated
What impressed us most was the scalability and reliability. As our business grows, we're confident Focus Ecommerce can scale with us, ensuring maximum uptime and performance.
Have nothing but great things to say about Ivan. He has helped me take my business to the next level in terms of marketing, social media, expansion and growth. Honestly. I would still be poodling along if Ivan hadn't given me a well needed push. Strongly recommend

A Deep Dive into IRP Commerce

IRP Commerce

Unleashing Ecommerce Potential: A Deep Dive into IRP Commerce

A profit centred ecommerce platform with all the Products, Modules, App Store and Integrations for global success

IRP Commerce
IRP Commerce intergation

IRP Commerce

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, the success of an ecommerce business hinges on its ability to adapt, innovate, and stay ahead of the curve. Enter IRP Cloud Commerce – a powerhouse in the realm of ecommerce solutions, revolutionizing the way businesses operate and thrive online. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at this ecommerce platform, exploring its features, benefits, and why it’s a game-changer for businesses worldwide.

The Power of IRP Commerce

At the heart of the IRP eCommerce platform lies a robust and versatile platform designed to meet the diverse needs of modern ecommerce businesses. From seamless storefront design and intuitive product management to powerful marketing tools and insightful analytics, profit centred ecommerce platform  offers a comprehensive suite of features to drive growth and maximize ROI.

The single % transaction fee structure is a stable and guaranteed structure that covers hosting, performance, platform enhancement and support leaving you to focus on trading

IRP

Products Built for Profit

Fully Featured Platform with No Development

AI

AI-Powered Personalization:

One of the standout features of is its advanced personalization capabilities. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, the platform delivers tailored shopping experiences that resonate with customers on a deeper level, increasing engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, conversions.

Multi Channel Commerce

Multi-Channel Integration:

In today's omnichannel world, reaching customers wherever they are is crucial. The IRP Marketing Cloud enables seamless integration across multiple channels, including online marketplaces, social media platforms, and mobile apps, ensuring a cohesive and consistent brand experience across every touchpoint.

Data-Driven Insights:

With the IRP Trading Terminal, data isn't just information – it's actionable insights that drive informed decision-making. From detailed sales reports and customer analytics to predictive forecasting and trend analysis, the platform empowers businesses to stay ahead of the competition and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Scalability

Scalability and Flexibility:

Scales effortlessly to meet your growing needs. With flexible customization options and robust infrastructure, the platform adapts to your business requirements, providing a solid foundation for long-term success.

IRP Commerce

Conclusion:

In conclusion, IRP Commerce isn’t just a platform – it’s a catalyst for ecommerce success. With its innovative features, powerful tools, and unwavering commitment to excellence, it is revolutionising the way businesses operate and succeed online. Whether you’re looking to increase sales, enhance customer engagement, or streamline operations, the IRP package is the ultimate partner for unleashing your ecommerce potential.

Low Setup Fees

IRP Commerce Cloud provides all the functionality you need out-of-the-box.

Low Total Cost of Ownership

Single % transaction fee structure is a stable and guaranteed structure.

A Future Proof Platform

IRP Cloud Commerce is the only platform built with a MERCHANT FIRST profit-based approach.

Built for Profit

Maximise profits and help you outperform your competition

Success Stories:

The IRP has enabled Camping World to be a profitable multichannel retailer. Its systems and software has enabled us to grow the business and the efficiency of the service has enabled our sales team to give necessary information directly to customers
Choosing IRP platform for our ecommerce needs has been a game-changer. Their team's expertise and commitment to our success stood out from the start. What impressed us most was the scalability and reliability. As our business grows, we're confident IRP and Focus Ecommerce can scale with us, ensuring maximum uptime and performance.
I have worked with various companies over the years on website replatforming projects and the team at IRP have been the best team by far. Their attention to detail and open communication throughout the project ensured we hit our go-live targets. It is fantastic to have the new website live and trading
Irp Commerce and Focus Ecommerce

Ready to take your ecommerce business to new heights?

Explore the possibilities with IRP Commerce and Focus Ecommerce and embark on a journey of growth and success like never before.

Navigating the Future of E-Commerce:

 Personalized Shopping Experiences

In the dynamic world of e-commerce, the future is all about personalization. As we delve deeper into the digital era, the key to customer satisfaction and business growth lies in personalized shopping experiences.

 

Emerging technologies like AI and Machine Learning are not just buzzwords; they are revolutionizing e-commerce. These technologies enable businesses to analyze vast amounts of data to understand customer preferences and behaviors like never before.

Personalized Shopping Experiences

Imagine a shopping experience where every product recommendation is tailored to your specific needs, where search results align perfectly with your interests, and where your entire customer journey feels uniquely yours. This is not a distant dream but a rapidly approaching reality.

 

Personalization is becoming the cornerstone of customer engagement and retention strategies. By providing bespoke experiences, businesses can not only increase sales but also build lasting relationships with their customers.

customer engagement and retention

As we embrace these technological advancements, the question remains: How can we, as professionals in the field, leverage these tools to create unparalleled customer experiences? Let’s discuss the future of personalized shopping in e-commerce and how we can be a part of this exciting journey.

future of personalized shopping

Data-driven marketing automation

Here at Focus Ecommerce we partner with the leading AI-powered platform, Spotler.

Offering a complete marketing automation platform for B2B, B2C & eCommerce marketers to run multi-channel campaigns.

Ensuring you get access to all inbound and outbound tools and technology to engage your audience, delight your customers, gain more conversions, improve customer experience and grow your business.

Data-driven marketing automation

More sales, more customers and more growth for your eCommerce business

Improve your campaigns, implement cross-channel marketing strategies, and automate tasks that increase income. Promote loyalty, encourage recurring business, and bring back dormant clients. We offer the resources you need to expand your online store.

Latest Website Development Project

New Client

Ecommerce Shopify Website Build Launched

We are pleased to announce our latest e-commerce Shopify website development is now live.

Web Development

Building a Shopify ecommerce website

We are thrilled to announce in partnership with HMS16 the launch of our new Shopify website development project for Jersey Honey, dedicated to luxury scented candles!

Built on Shopify in double-quick time to satisfy a need in the run-up to Christmas. 

building an ecommerce website
Jersey Honey Luxury Candles Shopify Website

Why use shopify

Shopify Development

Shopify e-commerce platform is easy to use with customizable themes, apps, and integrations.
It offers excellent customer support and security features. With Shopify, it allowed us to quickly set up their online store and will allow us to manage orders and inventory.
Overall, Shopify is a great choice for small businesses seeking a user-friendly platform, reliable support, and a range of advanced features to succeed in the e-commerce world.

When building an ecommerce website for a client, we always assess their needs an d find the most suitable platform to match their requirements.

About

Jersey Honey

An ethical approach and beautiful items are the goals of the business Jersey Honey.

Based in the Channel Islands, a spotless eco-bubble in the English Channel with warm Gulf Stream waters and a microclimate that encourages the production of high-quality honey by bees, they can fully benefit from their position.

 

Why we used shopify

Luxury Scented Candles

Jersey Honey candles are manufactured with skill and stand for excellence and purity. Each candle is created with a unique, 100% vegetable wax blend that includes soy, coconut, and rapeseed.

A clean, even burn is supported by a cotton wick and a paper core. Each candle has a burn time of up to 50 hours, ensuring longevity. It’s more than just a purchase; it’s an investment in a lasting memory that will frequently give you moments of style, vigour, and tranquilly.

How to Increase Website Traffic

Growing your online audience

How to Increase Website Traffic

Driving traffic to your e-commerce website is crucial for the success of your online business. Here are some top tips on how to increase website traffic.

Table of Contents

Search Engine Optimization (SEO):

Optimize your content with keywords

Improving your content with Search engine optimisation (SEO) is the process of incorporating keywords that are relevent to your business into your content.

After someone types a word or phrase into a search engine to reach a website, business connections are created. It is simpler to increase the number of visitors to your website if you are aware of the search phrases people use to find it.

You might only use certain terms, like a brand or product name. Or, they could be features or advantages that set you apart, think like a consumer, sometimes businesses will have internal refereneces that make no sense in the real world.

There are various free tools you can use to aid you in search engine optimisation, Google Analytics –  You can view the keywords your website visitors have previously used to locate you to help you optimise the content on your website.

Google Search Console Another free tool you can use to monitor how frequently your website shows in search results, which search phrases bring in the most visits, and how frequently people click on your site in search results

 

These tips can help maximise your SEO efforts:

Ensure your pages have thorough descriptions of your products and their benefits so that search engines like Google and Bing can discover them. Make sure yuo fill in your SEO titles and Descriptions, these will aid consumers to find and understand your offering in the search results.

Utilise the content on your website. Articles, blog entries, user reviews, and other material increase your website’s search ranks and draw visitors.

Improve your graphics. Make sure images and videos are mobile-optimized. Search engines are considerably better at indexing words than visual elements, but they can increase your Google ranking. If you’re using photos on your website, make sure each one has a brief description in the alt attribute so that the search engine may use to understand the image.

Learn more about Effective SEO here

Looking for Help With Your SEO

Our search engine consultants will collaborate with you to outperform and outrank your rivals.

They will delve into your business and goals. Extensively research the target market using the insights provided. identifying which search terms should be targeted to achieve your objectives. We will carry out a full audit of your website to assess if any technical issues exist that need to be fixed. In conclusion we plan a SEO strategy with realistic and measurable targets in place.

effective SEO. How to Increase Website Traffic - SEO Services Colchester
How to Increase Website Traffic - Landing Pages
Contact to learn mor about Shopify

Create Targeted Landing Pages

A unique landing page with content tailored to their interests can help them interact with your website and, ultimately, your business. Create pages that showcase content that is suited to website visitors’ priorities using website analytics. Based on the postings someone has been reading or updates on new features of a product they have been researching, this may appear to be a special deal.

Craft Engaging, High-Quality Content

A fantastic strategy to increase traffic to your website is to provide interesting, high-quality content that addresses readers questions or offers a fix for a particular issue. By doing this, you may establish the authority of your website and establish your company as a market leader.

Additionally, your SEO efforts might be aided by producing original, engaging, and useful content. Your website will rank higher on search engine results pages (SERP) the more you optimise your content and the more visitors you receive. Additionally, publishing worthwhile and helpful content can enhance the possibility of returning visitors. This is because readers will be aware of the value and dependability of your information.

Make sure your material is simple to read and easy to comprehend while creating it. For instance, a website subheading will make it simple and quick for the reader to get the information they need.

 

Promote Your Website with Digital Ads

Ads for everything from online courses to sunglasses and much more can be seen all over the internet. These advertisements, often known as digital or banner ads, are made to direct users to a website or landing page for a particular campaign. These ads are effective because they may be posted on websites or blogs that cater to a particular target, such as fashionista’s who want the latest fashions or outdoor lovers and are a great way to increase website traffic

 

Digital ads on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram may be broken down by age, gender, interests, and education level and targeted to incredibly specific audiences. The information you have about the website activity of your visitors—such as which pages or goods they looked at when—can make it simple for you to create and manage advertising that target people who are actively looking for what you have to offer.

 

To establish a paid media strategy, choose where to position your ads and how long they should run by working with a agency, such as Focus Ecommerce. We are specialists in this subject can also offer advice on how to improve a campaign’s success over time and what results to anticipate from a campaign.

How to Increase Website Traffic with Email Marketing

Email Marketing

Email is a tried-and-true method of driving traffic and growing your online audience. Email can be a potent outreach tool that helps you target, educate, and direct visitors to particular web pages on your site. Its also been known to be one of the cheapeast and most cost effective way in increase sales conversion and gaining traction for your online shop.

There are 2 main types of email promotions:

 

  • Email newsletters can include informative content and advertising for sales or events. They can direct viewers to your website so they can read an article or take advantage of a promotion. While they might not attract many new website visitors, these might be an effective approach to attract customers who are already familiar with you and keep customers engaged
  • Promotional emails use to draw attention to certain products or events. For instance, you might advertise an exhibition or an event in your shop. Promotional emails can also assist you in showcasing recently released videos, services, or goods.

In both situations, you can use data-driven segmentation of your email list to target the groups most likely to respond to customised versions of your newsletter or offer. You could be perplexed as to why you didn’t start an email campaign sooner once your target audience realises the value you can provide for their business.

“Email allows you to connect with a global audience. Nearly everyone has an email address, making it a powerful channel for reaching potential customers regardless of their location.,” says Ivan Latter, CEO at Focus Ecommerce. “Email marketing is a versatile and cost-effective tool for building and nurturing relationships with your audience, driving engagement, and ultimately boosting your business’s bottom line. Its ability to deliver targeted, measurable, and personalized messages makes it a valuable asset in your marketing toolkit.”

Increase Your Backlinks from Reliable Sources.

How to increase website traffic via Backlinks, also known as inbound links, these are links that go to a certain page on your own website from those on other websites. Your chance of ranking better on search engines increases as you acquire more high-quality backlinks. This is because backlinks increase the authority of your website and let search engines know how well-liked it is by consumers. A trustworthy website is required for backlinks; otherwise, the reverse result could happen.

Other reasons backlinks are crucial for your company is as follows:

  • Your website will draw more people the higher up the search engine results it appears.
  • Backlinks support the development of consumer trust.
  • Backlinks might increase public awareness of your brand’s existence.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy in which individuals or businesses (affiliates) promote products or services of other companies (merchants) and earn a commission for each sale or action generated through their marketing efforts and is a way to drive traffic to your website. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement for expanding your web presence, where affiliates are rewarded for driving traffic or customers to the merchant’s website, and merchants can expand their reach and increase sales without upfront advertising costs.

Affiliate marketing is a popular strategy in e-commerce and online business and has expanded into various industries beyond just retail, including software, finance, health, and more.

Affiliate marketing has several advantages:

 

  • Low Risk: Merchants only pay for actual sales or desired actions, making it a cost-effective advertising model.
  • Wide Reach: Affiliates can tap into their own audience and networks, helping merchants reach a broader customer base.
  • Diverse Marketing Channels: Affiliates can use various marketing strategies to promote products or services.
  • Performance-Based: Both affiliates and merchants benefit from successful outcomes, encouraging ongoing collaboration.

Full Service Ecommerce Agency, Your Flexible Solution​

Choose how and where you want us to be involved, whether as an extension of your in-house team or existing agencies, or allow us to fully manage your ecommerce and marketing activities.

 

Ecommerce Consultants

Effective SEO

Search Engine Optimisation

Effective SEO

What is Effective SEO (Search Engine Optimization)? It refers to a set of strategies and practices aimed at improving your website’s visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). The goal of SEO is to drive organic (non-paid) traffic to your website by optimizing various aspects of your site to align with search engine algorithms. Here are some key components of effective SEO:

SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization, effective SEO is a crucial aspect of digital marketing and online presence for several reasons:

Increased Visibility: The primary goal of SEO is to improve a website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). When your website ranks higher for relevant keywords, it is more likely to be seen by people searching for information, products, or services related to your business.

Organic Traffic: SEO helps generate organic (non-paid) traffic to your website. Unlike paid advertising, which stops delivering traffic once you stop paying, SEO efforts can continue to attract visitors over time, making it a cost-effective long-term strategy.

Credibility and Trust: Websites that appear at the top of search results are often perceived as more credible and trustworthy by users. SEO can help you establish authority in your industry, leading to increased trust among your target audience.

Table of Contents

1. Keyword Research:

The practice of identifying and selecting relevant keywords to target in your SEO efforts.

Identify relevant keywords and phrases that your target audience is likely to use when searching for products, services, or information related to your business. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to find valuable keywords.

2. On-Page Effective SEO:

On-Page effective SEO, also known as on-site SEO, refers to the practice of optimizing individual web pages on a website to improve their search engine rankings and visibility. It involves making changes and improvements directly to the content, structure, and HTML code of a webpage. The primary goal of on-page SEO is to provide a better user experience and make it easier for search engines to understand the content of a page. Optimize individual pages on your website by incorporating target keywords into elements such as titles, headings, meta descriptions, and content. However, avoid keyword stuffing, as it can negatively impact user experience and rankings.

3. High-Quality Content:

Content Optimization: Focusing on improving the quality and relevance of the content on a website to improve its search engine rankings

Create valuable, informative, and engaging content that addresses the needs and questions of your audience. High-quality content attracts both visitors and search engines, leading to higher rankings.

4. Optimized Images and Multimedia:

Use descriptive file names and alt text for images and multimedia content to make them searchable by search engines. Optimized media enhances user experience and accessibility.

effective seo

5. Mobile-Friendly Design:

Ensure your website is responsive and mobile-friendly. With the mobile-first indexing approach, Google prioritizes mobile versions of websites for indexing and ranking. 

A mobile-friendly design, also known as a responsive design or mobile-responsive design, is a crucial aspect of web development and design. It ensures that a website or web application is accessible, usable, and visually appealing on various mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

6. Page Speed Optimization:

Improve your website’s Technical SEO by optimizing loading speed on image sizes, reducing unnecessary code, using browser caching, and utilizing content delivery networks (CDNs). you can check page speed for free by visiting https://pagespeed.web.dev/

We see a lot of slow websites, WordPress sites in particular where people have opted for the cheapest hosting solution, like many things you get what you pay for, if your hosting is costing pennies then likely your not getting a very good level of service, you’ll be on a server with 100’s of other websites of whom could be using all the bandwidth, rederring you site slow or even unusable. Check out our hosting service here

Wordpress speed test results

7. Technical Effective SEO:

This aspect of SEO deals with optimizing the technical aspects of a website, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and structured data. Also address technical issues that might hinder search engine crawlers from indexing your site properly. This includes fixing broken links, optimizing URL structure, and creating an XML sitemap.

8. Backlink Building:

Earn high-quality backlinks from reputable websites in your industry. Backlinks serve as “votes of confidence” from other sites, indicating your website’s authority and relevance. However, don’t be tempted by phishing emails offering you 100’s of back links on ‘so called’ reputable websites. Your links should be on relevent websites, do not use a scattergun approach.

9. User Experience (UX):

Design your website with a focus on user experience. User-friendly navigation, intuitive design, and fast load times contribute to higher rankings and better engagement.

10. Local SEO (for Local Businesses):

If you have a physical presence, optimize your website for local search by creating and maintaining a Google My Business profile, acquiring local citations, and gathering positive reviews.

11. Regular Content Updates:

Keep your website updated with fresh, relevant content. Regularly publishing new blog posts, articles, or product updates signals to search engines that your site is active and valuable.

12. Monitor and Analyze:

Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your website’s performance, traffic sources, keyword rankings, and other important metrics. Analyze this data to identify areas for improvement.

Remember that SEO is a long-term strategy, and it requires ongoing effort and adaptation as search engine algorithms evolve. Focus on providing value to your audience, adhering to best practices, and staying up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and guidelines.

Looking for Help With Your SEO

Our search engine consultants will collaborate with you to outperform and outrank your rivals.

They will delve into your business and goals. Extensively research the target market using the insights provided. identifying which search terms should be targeted to achieve your objectives. We will carry out a full audit of your website to assess if any technical issues exist that need to be fixed. In conclusion we plan an effective SEO strategy with realistic and measurable targets in place.

effective SEO. How to Increase Website Traffic - SEO Services Colchester

Choosing an Ecommerce Platform

Ecommerce Platform

What to look for when choosing an ecommerce Solution.

Ecommerce Platform choice is wide and varied. Choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business is a crucial decision that can impact your online success. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating and selecting an e-commerce platform:

1. Type of Business and Products:

Consider the nature of your business and the types of products you’re selling. Some platforms might be better suited for physical goods, while others excel with digital products or services.

2.Ecommerce Platform Scalability:

When choosing the right ecommerce platform ensure that the platform can accommodate your business’s growth. It should handle increasing numbers of products, customers, and transactions without compromising performance.

3. Customization and Flexibility:

Evaluate how much customization the platform allows. Depending on your business needs, you might require extensive customization to match your brand and unique requirements.

choosing the right ecommerce platform

4. User Experience (UX):

A user-friendly and intuitive interface is essential for both customers and administrators. Look for platforms that offer responsive and mobile-friendly designs.

5. Features and Functionality:

Identify the essential features your business requires, such as product catalog management, inventory management, payment gateways, shipping options, and SEO tools.

6. Integration Capabilities:

Check if the platform can integrate with other tools you use, such as accounting software, email marketing platforms, analytics tools, and more.

7. Security:

Security is paramount for an e-commerce platform. So choosing the right ecommerce platform look for built-in security measures like SSL encryption, regular updates, and PCI compliance for handling payment data.

8. Performance and Speed:

Slow loading times can deter customers. Choose a platform known for fast page loading and smooth performance.

9. SEO-Friendly Features:

An e-commerce platform that supports search engine optimization (SEO) practices can help your products get discovered more easily on search engines.

10. Support and Documentation:

Evaluate the level of customer support offered by the platform. Are there resources like documentation, tutorials, and a customer support team to help you troubleshoot issues?

11. Costs and Pricing:

Consider the overall cost, including platform fees, transaction fees, payment gateway charges, and any additional costs associated with add-ons or extensions.

12. Mobile Commerce (M-Commerce):

With the rise of mobile shopping, make sure the platform offers mobile-responsive designs and a smooth mobile shopping experience.

13. Ecommerce Platform Multi-Channel Selling:

If you plan to sell across multiple channels (website, social media, marketplaces), ensure the platform supports these integrations.

14. Data Analytics and Reporting:

Access to data analytics and reporting tools is vital for monitoring your business’s performance and making informed decisions.

15. Future Upgrades and Maintenance:

Assess how often the platform releases updates and new features. Regular updates can keep your site secure and up-to-date.

16. User Reviews and Recommendations:

Research user reviews and recommendations to understand real-world experiences with the platform.

Furthermore, Remember that each business’s needs are unique. Prioritize the factors that align with your business goals and long-term strategy. It’s also a good idea to consult with other business owners, industry experts, or developers to gather insights before making a final decision.

Why us

Looking For a Reliable Development Partner?

We only build on ecommerce platforms that offer the scalability and customisation you need to deliver a growth-enabled, brand-focused web stores that puts your customer first.

We offer options to suit all levels of investment, from start up businesses to enterprise level companies.

Website Development

Why should companies use email marketing

Email Marketing Why should companies be using direct marketing

Companies should use email marketing for a variety of reasons, as it remains one of the most effective and versatile digital marketing strategies.

Companies should use email marketing for a variety of reasons, as it remains one of the most effective and versatile digital marketing strategies. Here are some key reasons why companies should consider incorporating email marketing into their overall marketing efforts:

1. Direct Communication:

Email marketing offers companies a direct line of communication with their target audience. It provides a personalised and one-on-one communication channel, making it easier to connect with customers on an individual level.

 

Unlike traditional mass advertising methods, such as TV commercials or print ads, email marketing allows businesses to tailor their messages to specific segments of their audience based on factors like demographics, purchase history, or past interactions with the brand. This personalised approach enhances the relevance and effectiveness of email communications, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion. Moreover, email marketing enables businesses to deliver timely and targeted messages to their audience, such as promotional offers, product updates, or helpful resources.

 

By delivering content that is relevant and valuable to the recipient, businesses can strengthen their relationships with customers and foster loyalty over time. Additionally, email marketing offers opportunities for two-way communication, allowing recipients to engage with the brand by responding to emails, clicking on links, or making purchases directly from the email. This interactive nature of email marketing encourages engagement and provides valuable feedback that businesses can use to refine their marketing strategies and improve the customer experience.

 

Overall, email marketing serves as a powerful tool for businesses to communicate directly with their audience, deliver personalized and relevant messages, and build strong, lasting relationships with customers.

2. Cost-Effective:

Email campaigns offer a cost-effective solution compared to traditional advertising methods. Sending emails to a large audience can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of traditional print or TV ads. With email marketing, there are no expenses related to printing materials, postage, or media placement, significantly reducing overhead costs. Additionally, the ability to automate email campaigns further lowers labor costs, as businesses can reach thousands of subscribers with just a few clicks. Moreover, email marketing platforms often offer affordable pricing plans, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes, including startups and small enterprises. Despite its affordability, email marketing can yield impressive returns on investment (ROI) due to its ability to reach a targeted audience and generate measurable results. This makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to maximise their marketing budget and achieve significant results without breaking the bank. Overall, the cost-effectiveness of email campaigns makes them a valuable tool for businesses looking to reach and engage their audience while staying within budget.

3. High ROI

Direct marketing, including email marketing, frequently yields a high return on investment (ROI). With its relatively low costs compared to traditional advertising channels and the potential for driving significant revenue, email marketing campaigns can deliver substantial ROI for businesses.

 

One of the primary factors contributing to the high ROI of email marketing is its cost-effectiveness. Unlike traditional marketing channels such as print or television advertising, which can be expensive to produce and distribute, email marketing incurs minimal costs. Businesses can reach a large audience with a single email campaign, eliminating expenses associated with printing, postage, or media placement.

 

Furthermore, email marketing offers precise targeting and segmentation capabilities, allowing businesses to tailor their messages to specific audience segments. By sending personalised and relevant content to recipients based on their demographics, preferences, or past interactions with the brand, businesses can maximise engagement and conversion rates, further enhancing the ROI of their email campaigns.

 

Moreover, email marketing provides measurable results, enabling businesses to track key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and revenue generated. This data-driven approach allows businesses to analyse the performance of their email campaigns, identify areas for improvement, and optimize strategies to maximise ROI.

 

Additionally, email marketing facilitates ongoing communication and relationship-building with customers, which can lead to repeat purchases, referrals, and long-term loyalty. By delivering valuable content, exclusive offers, and personalised recommendations through email, businesses can nurture customer relationships and drive continuous engagement, ultimately contributing to higher lifetime customer value and ROI.

 

In summary, email marketing offers businesses a cost-effective and highly targeted marketing channel with the potential for delivering significant ROI. By leveraging its low costs, precise targeting capabilities, measurable results, and relationship-building opportunities, businesses can maximise the effectiveness of their email marketing campaigns and achieve impressive returns on their investment.

4. Segmentation and Personalization:

Advanced email marketing platforms offer robust segmentation capabilities, empowering companies to divide their email lists based on diverse criteria such as demographics, purchase history, behavior, and more. This segmentation enables businesses to send targeted and relevant content to different groups of recipients, significantly enhancing the effectiveness of their email campaigns.

 

By segmenting their email lists, companies can tailor their messages to specific audience segments, ensuring that each recipient receives content that resonates with their interests, preferences, and past interactions with the brand. For example, a clothing retailer can segment their email list based on gender or past purchase history, allowing them to send personalised product recommendations or exclusive offers tailored to each recipient’s unique preferences.

 

Moreover, segmentation enables companies to deliver more timely and contextually relevant messages to their audience. By considering factors such as geographic location, time zone, or recent website activity, businesses can send emails at optimal times and deliver content that is most likely to capture the recipient’s attention.

 

Additionally, segmentation allows companies to implement more targeted and effective marketing strategies. For instance, businesses can create segmented email campaigns for different stages of the customer journey, such as welcome emails for new subscribers, re-engagement emails for inactive subscribers, or upsell/cross-sell emails for existing customers.

 

Overall, segmentation is a powerful strategy that enables companies to deliver more personalised and engaging email experiences to their audience. By leveraging segmentation capabilities offered by modern email marketing platforms, businesses can maximize the impact of their email campaigns, drive higher engagement and conversions, and ultimately, achieve their marketing objectives with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

5. Email Marketing Automation:

Email marketing platforms provide automation features, enabling companies to set up automated email sequences based on triggers or specific actions. This functionality allows businesses to nurture leads, onboard new customers, and engage with subscribers without manual intervention. By defining triggers such as subscribing to a newsletter, making a purchase, or abandoning a cart, companies can automatically send relevant follow-up emails tailored to the recipient’s behavior or stage in the customer journey. For example, a welcome email series can be triggered when a new subscriber joins the mailing list, providing them with introductory information, exclusive offers, or helpful resources to encourage further engagement. Similarly, abandoned cart emails can be automatically triggered when a customer leaves items in their shopping cart without completing the purchase, reminding them of their items and incentivising them to complete the transaction. By leveraging email automation, businesses can deliver timely and personalized communications that nurture leads, drive conversions, and enhance the overall customer experience. Additionally, automation features enable companies to scale their email marketing efforts efficiently, freeing up time and resources that can be allocated to other areas of the business. With automated email sequences in place, businesses can maintain consistent communication with their audience, build stronger relationships, and drive results with minimal manual effort. In summary, email marketing automation empowers businesses to deliver targeted and timely messages, streamline processes, and maximize the effectiveness of their email marketing campaigns. By automating repetitive tasks and leveraging data-driven insights, companies can drive engagement, conversions, and ultimately, business growth.

6. Engagement and Conversion:

Emails are a potent tool for driving engagement and conversions. Crafting compelling content, offers, or calls-to-action in emails can motivate recipients to take desired actions, such as making a purchase, signing up for a webinar, or downloading a resource. Well-designed and strategically targeted emails have the power to capture attention, spark interest, and prompt immediate responses from recipients. By leveraging persuasive language, visually appealing layouts, and clear directives, businesses can guide subscribers through the customer journey and prompt them to complete specific actions that align with their marketing objectives. Whether it’s promoting new products, announcing special promotions, or inviting subscribers to participate in events, emails serve as an effective vehicle for delivering targeted messages and driving desired outcomes. Additionally, email marketing allows for precise targeting and segmentation, enabling businesses to tailor their messages to specific audience segments based on demographics, preferences, or past behavior. This personalized approach enhances relevance and resonance, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion. Furthermore, email automation tools enable businesses to streamline the process of delivering timely and relevant messages to subscribers at various stages of the customer lifecycle. By automating email sequences, businesses can nurture leads, re-engage inactive subscribers, and deliver personalised content at scale, ultimately driving higher engagement and conversion rates. In summary, emails play a pivotal role in driving engagement and conversions by delivering targeted messages, compelling offers, and clear calls-to-action that motivate recipients to take action. By leveraging the power of email marketing effectively, businesses can build stronger relationships with their audience, generate more leads, and ultimately drive business growth and success.

7. Brand Awareness and Loyalty:

Consistent email communication plays a crucial role in reinforcing brand awareness and ensuring that a company’s products or services remain top of mind for subscribers. By regularly appearing in subscribers’ inboxes with updates, promotions, and valuable content, businesses can strengthen their brand presence and maintain ongoing engagement with their audience. This frequent interaction helps to build familiarity and trust, making it more likely for subscribers to consider the company’s offerings when making purchasing decisions.

 

Furthermore, delivering valuable content and updates through email can contribute to fostering customer loyalty over time. By providing subscribers with relevant information, exclusive offers, or personalised recommendations, businesses demonstrate their commitment to delivering ongoing value beyond just promoting products or services. This can enhance the overall customer experience and deepen the relationship between the brand and its audience, leading to increased loyalty and repeat business.

 

In addition to reinforcing brand awareness and fostering loyalty, consistent email communication also enables businesses to stay connected with their audience and adapt to their evolving needs and preferences. By soliciting feedback, conducting surveys, or inviting subscribers to participate in special events or promotions, companies can gather valuable insights and strengthen their relationship with their audience.

 

Overall, consistent email communication serves as a powerful tool for building and nurturing relationships with subscribers, reinforcing brand awareness, fostering loyalty, and driving long-term success for businesses. By delivering relevant content, staying engaged with their audience, and providing ongoing value, companies can maximise the impact of their email marketing efforts and achieve their marketing objectives effectively.

8. Analytics and Tracking:

Email advertising platforms offer robust analytics and tracking capabilities, empowering companies to monitor various metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and more. These insights provide valuable data to assess the performance of email campaigns and make informed, data-driven decisions to enhance effectiveness. By analysing metrics over time, businesses can identify trends, pinpoint areas for improvement, and optimize their strategies to achieve better results. Moreover, detailed analytics enable companies to segment their audience effectively, target specific demographics, and personalize content based on recipient preferences and behaviors. This level of precision enhances the relevance and impact of email marketing efforts, driving higher engagement and conversion rates. Additionally, tracking capabilities allow companies to attribute conversions and track the customer journey, from email opens to website visits and ultimately, purchases. This end-to-end visibility enables marketers to understand the impact of their email campaigns on driving sales and revenue, facilitating more accurate ROI calculations. Overall, leveraging the analytical power of email advertising platforms empowers companies to optimise their campaigns, maximise performance, and achieve their marketing objectives with greater efficiency and effectiveness.

9. Easy to Share:

When recipients find email content interesting or valuable, they often share it with friends, family, or colleagues. This word-of-mouth sharing extends the reach of the company’s message beyond the initial subscriber list. It harnesses the power of personal recommendations, amplifying brand exposure and potentially attracting new subscribers or customers. Additionally, sharing email content through social media platforms or forwarding emails to contacts can spark conversations and interactions, fostering community engagement and brand advocacy. Therefore, creating compelling and shareable email content not only enhances subscriber engagement but also serves as a valuable tool for organic audience growth and brand awareness.

10. Mobile-Friendly:

A considerable number of email opens happen on mobile devices, highlighting the importance of optimising email marketing templates for mobile viewing. Ensuring that messages are easily accessible and readable on smartphones and tablets is crucial for engaging with a mobile-savvy audience. By adopting responsive design techniques and optimising email layouts for smaller screens, businesses can enhance the user experience and increase the effectiveness of their email campaigns. This mobile optimisation not only improves readability but also encourages higher click-through rates and conversions. Additionally, considering the on-the-go nature of mobile users, concise and visually appealing content is essential to capture attention and drive engagement. Therefore, integrating mobile-friendly design principles into your email marketing strategy is imperative for reaching and resonating with today’s mobile-centric consumers.

11. Data Collection:

Digital communication empowers businesses to collect crucial customer data, refine marketing strategies, customize offerings, and gain insights into preferences. Through various online channels like email, social media, and websites, companies gather information on demographics, browsing behavior, purchase history, and feedback. This data forms the basis for personalised marketing campaigns, targeted promotions, and tailored product development. By analysing customer interactions and preferences, businesses can stay ahead of trends, anticipate shifts in consumer behavior, and adapt their strategies accordingly, ensuring continued relevance and competitiveness in the market.

12. Complementary to Other Channels:

Email marketing serves as a valuable complement to other marketing channels like social media and content marketing. It offers a versatile platform to promote blog posts, share social media updates, and drive traffic to various online assets. By integrating email campaigns with other marketing efforts, businesses can create cohesive and engaging customer experiences across multiple touchpoints. This synergy amplifies the reach and impact of marketing initiatives, fostering stronger brand awareness, engagement, and conversions. Additionally, email marketing allows for targeted messaging and segmentation, enabling businesses to deliver relevant content to specific audience segments based on their preferences and behaviors. Overall, by leveraging email marketing alongside other channels, businesses can maximise their marketing effectiveness and achieve their objectives more efficiently.

Overall, email marketing remains a powerful tool for companies to build relationships with their audience, drive engagement, and achieve their marketing goals. However, it’s essential to create high-quality, relevant content and maintain a respectful approach to avoid spamming and alienating subscribers.

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Bringing Trading Data to the Centre of Decision Making in IRP Version 8.8.0

Commerce Cloud

Bringing Trading Data to the Centre of Decision Making in IRP Version 8.8.0

IRP keeps making data investments to deliver precise  trading data for increased visibility and control..

Commerce Cloud Version 8.8.0 is a large software release and contains an upgrade to the latest PayPal version, enhancements to Marketing Cloud, Feed Manager and the release of the Daily Trading Profits email.

 

IRP Commerce Cloud continues to invest in data to bring accurate trading data to the centre of decision making.

 

The focus on efficiency, increasing visibility, controlling merchant costs and increasing sales is critical to current and future IRP platform thinking and development.

PayPal Gateway Rebuilt in Partnership

PayPal part funded this 3 month development project deepening our partnership with this key Technical Partner.

The latest version of PayPal brings new merchant opportunities as well as improved user experience, more payment options and increased conversion potential. Online shoppers still have the ability to checkout directly from the basket or in the checkout flows, but they now have additional payment options like Pay Later. This is PayPal’s own implementation of the popular ‘Klarna’ method of paying for purchases.

The latest PayPal version works seamlessly with your IRP (whether desktop, mobile or tablet) and should help with your customer conversion while reducing payment failure rates.

 

Highlights included:

  • Increased Conversion
  • Improved UX
  • Pay Later Options
  • PayPal Credit Cards
  • Wide Range of supported Countries
  • More Currencies Supported
  • Alternative Payment Methods
IRP Commerce

Commerce Cloud Contribution to Sales

IRP Commerce Cloud contributes an unrecognised 70% of Merchant’s revenues.

Marketing Cloud delivers huge value to merchants all contained within the transaction fee. First Party systems are critical for the future of ecommerce – and no other system has an email campaign product and a feed management tool built directly into the core platform.

IRP saves merchants from significant additional costs for plugins and 3rd party systems providing features directly in your IRP. An email system, such as Klaviyo, may cost merchants an additional £2,000-£3,000 PER MONTH on top of monthly transaction fees. Whereas Feed Manager is simply an unmatched product in scope – and a large number of plugins cannot cover the 40+ Shopping feeds that IRP provides out-of-the-box in Feed Manager.

Merchants can now see ‘contribution to sales’ when entering the Marketing Cloud for IRP Core products – Email Manager and Feed Manager. This is important to Merchants as they strive to maximise the sales from email campaigns (Email Manager) and expand their product visibility and international traffic (Feed Manager).

 

Highlights included:

  • Last 30 Days Sales
  • Last 30 Days % Sales
  • YTD Sales
  • Domestic v International
Paypal

Feed Manager

One of the most important powerful features of an IRP Commerce Cloud is Feed Manager. It currently generates over 50% of Merchant sales to all world regions. Feed Manager provides unmatched product distribution with instant access to 40+ Google Shopping and Facebook feeds ready to use and internationally configured.

We’ve invested in Feed Manager UX, making it much easier to use and understand. Expand your international reach by easily enabling inactive feeds and viewing the contributions to your active feeds.

Simply click the Marketing Cloud logo at the top of your IRP to get started.

Highlights included:

  • Improved UX
  • View your Active Feeds
  • Easily enable feeds
  • Sales contribution last 30 Days
  • Check your Partner ID’s
  • Check Feed Status
  • Copy your Feed URLs
  • Set Restrictions and Exclusions

Trading Profits Daily Email

The IRP platform has unique capabilities in tracking sales and attributing costs. This offers ‘tight control’ of ecommerce business. We continue to leverage first-party data in ‘Trading Profits’ for merchant benefit.

Merchants will receive a daily ‘Trading Profits’ email showing the previous day’s sales total and associated traffic costs.

‘Trading Profits’ shows how Traffic, Conversion and AOV mathematically make the sales number – and how the traffic costs impact profitability. ‘Trading Profits’ also shows your traffic service provider performance with direct access to the IRP Service Marketplace.

 

‘Trading Profits’ is another innovation on our journey to IRP Version 9 – where IRP will bring merchants more visibility and control to sales growth, traffic costs and profitability.

 

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about any of the features in this release.

Commerce Cloud Fully Featured Platform with No Development

In one package, and for one fee, IRP brings together everything you need to drive sustainable and profitable growth.

 

There are many ecommerce platforms to choose from. But the IRP Commerce Cloud is the only platform built with a MERCHANT FIRST profit-based approach.It’s the future of ecommerce.

It’s time to talk to IRP about how we can grow your traffic, increase sales, control costs, maximise profits and help you outperform your competition.
IRP Commerce Admin